English 17: Speech and Oral Communication

Group 2

David K. Berlo and his book, El Procesode la Comunicación published in 1960.

In 1960, David K. Berlo, wrote abook entitled El Proceso de laComunicación or The Process ofCommunication. This work focusedon the purpose and objectives ofcommunication and addressedBerlo's model of communicationwhich he developed from ClaudeShannon and Warren Weaver'sMathematical Model. In this book,Berlo quoted Aristotle, saying that“…the prime goal ofcommunication was persuasion,an attempt to sway other men tothe speaker's point of view”(Berlo, David K., 1960, p. 8). Hismodel includes verbal and non-verbal communications. It alsoconsiders the emotional aspect ofthe message.

Source Message Channel Receiver

Communication

Skills

Attitudes

Knowledge

Social System

Culture

Communication

Skills

Attitudes

Knowledge

Social System

Culture

Content

Elements

Treatment

Structure

Code

Hearing

Seeing

Touching

Smelling

Tasting

Encodes Decodes

David K. Berlo's Model of Communication

focuses on four elements, namely: the

Source (S), the Message (M), the Channel

(C), and the Receiver (R). Under each of

these are different factors that affect the

communication process. This model is an

example of a linear model of communication.

Source Message Channel Receiver

Communication

Skills

Attitudes

Knowledge

Social System

Culture

Communication

Skills

Attitudes

Knowledge

Social System

Culture

Content

Elements

Treatment

Structure

Code

Hearing

Seeing

Touching

Smelling

Tasting

Encodes Decodes

The Source (S) is the origin of the message. Alsocalled the speaker, sender, or the encoder.

Factors affecting the Source:◦ Communication Skills – the ability of the speaker to

communicate the message. It refers to his or her ability inspeaking, listening, reading, writing, debating, andasking/answering questions.

◦ Attitudes – the speaker's attitude towards the listeners, tothe subject matter, and even to himself or herself.

◦ Knowledge – how familiar, informed or educated is thespeaker about the subject matter he or she will tackle. Thesource must be an expert about his or her subject.

Factors affecting the Source:

◦ Social System – the social background. Refers to the system

of values, beliefs, religion, culture, and tradition of a certain

society, affecting the common understanding of the people.

◦ Culture – “the total way of life of a people [in a society].”

(Geertz, Clifford, 1973)

The Message (M) is the idea, opinion, emotion, orinformation conveyed by the speaker.

Factors affecting the Message:◦ Content – what is contained in the message.

◦ Elements – the language, gestures, facial expressions, andpostures used by the speaker to express his or her thoughts.

◦ Treatment – how the message is being handled or treatedby the speaker. The way the message is delivered to theaudience.

◦ Structure – how the message is arranged. The source mustarrange his or her message in the most favorable mannerpossible to avoid distortion and miscommunication.

Factors affecting the Message:

◦ Code – includes the language, body movements, gestures,

and expressions used by the speaker. He or she must be

accurate in using these codes to avoid distortion and

misinterpretation of the message.

The Channel (C) is the medium through which the

message is delivered from the source to the receiver.

The five senses.

Factors affecting the Channel:

◦ Hearing – the faculty of the ears. Used in hearing speeches

and oral activities.

◦ Seeing – the faculty of the eyes. Used in watching visual

presentations.

◦ Touching – the faculty of the skin or hands. Used to hold

materials.

Factors affecting the Channel:

◦ Smelling – the faculty of the nose. Used to distinguish

different types of odor.

◦ Tasting – the faculty of the tongue. Used to differentiate

flavor.

The Receiver (R) is the one who receives,understands, analyzes, and interprets the message.Also known as the listener, audience, or the decoder.

According to Berlo's model, communication will takeplace properly if the receiver is on the same levelwith the speaker. Hence, the factors that influencethe receiver and the source are the same.

Factors affecting the Receiver:◦ Communication Skills – the receiver should possess good

communication skills to be able to understand the messagedelivered by the source.

Factors affecting the Receiver:

◦ Attitudes – the receiver should have the right attitude

towards the source, the message, and towards himself or

herself to be able to grasp the message in a positive way.

◦ Knowledge – the receiver must know something about the

subject.

◦ Social System – the receiver should be of the same social

system as the speaker.

◦ Culture – the receiver must have the same cultural

background with the source.

It is a linear model of communication; therefore, it does

not give much credit to feedback.

It does not include the barriers of communication.

It does not mention communication interference or

“noise.”

The claim that the source and the receiver must be on

the same level when it comes to communication skills,

attitudes, knowledge, social system, and culture is quite

impossible. No two individuals have the same level of

experience.

Albaugh, N., Henderson, K., Miosky, K., & Papini, A. (n.d.).Explanation of SMCR Model. Retrieved June 23, 2013, fromhttp://www.uri.edu/personal/carson/hendersonk/explanation.html

Berlo's Model of Communication. (n.d.). Retrieved June 23,2013, from http://www.managementstudyguide.com/berlo-model-of-communication.htm

Berlo’s SMCR Model of Communication. (2010). Retrieved June20, 2013, from http://communicationtheory.org/berlos-smcr-model-of-communication/

Geertz, C. (1973). The Interpretation of Cultures: SelectedEssays. Retrieved June 23, 2013, fromhttp://www.sociosite.net/topics/texts/Geertz_Thick_Description.php